Billy Fury
Billy Fury statue at Albert Dock, Liverpool, by Tom Murphy, a Liverpool sculptor, in 2003. The sculpture was donated to National Museums Liverpool by 'The Sound of Fury' fan club. Picture taken 2008-03-08. Birkenhead and the River Mersey in the background.
Background information
Birth name	Ronald William Wycherley
Born	17 April 1940(1940-04-17) Liverpool, England. Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland
Died	28 January 1983 (aged 42) Paddington, West London, England
Genre(s)	Rock, Pop, Rockabilly
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1959 – 1983
Label(s)	Decca, Parlophone
Associated acts	Georgie Fame
Website	billyfury.com

Billy Fury (born Ronald William Wycherley, 17 April 1940 - 28 January 1983), was an internationally successful British pop singer from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, and remained an active songwriter until the 1980s. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Paddington is an area of the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of Rock and roll music and emerged in the early 1950s A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Parlophone is a Record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company. Georgie Fame (born Clive Powell 26 June 1943, Leigh) is a British Rhythm and blues and Jazz Singer and Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. Rheumatic fever, which damaged his heart, contributed to his death.

Early years

Born at Smithdown Hospital (now Sefton General Hospital), Smithdown Road, Liverpool, Ronnie Wycherley first attended a gig in Birkenhead ^[1] run by impresario Larry Parnes, in the hope of interesting established artiste Marty Wilde in some of the songs he had written. Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary Impresario, from the Italian impresa an enterprise or undertaking is a traditional term still very much in use in the Entertainment industry for Larry Parnes (real name Laurence Maurice Palmer) was born in 1930 in Willesden, London; and died on 4 August 1989, in London Marty Wilde (born Reginald Leonard Smith 15 April 1939, Greenwich, South London) is an English Singer and Songwriter Instead, in an episode that has become pop music legend, Parnes pushed young Wycherley up on stage right away. He was such an immediate success that Parnes signed him, added him to the tour, and renamed him "Billy Fury".

He released his first hit for Decca, "Maybe Tomorrow", in 1959. Decca Records is a British Record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. By March 1960, he hit UK Number 9 with his own composition "Collette", followed by "That's Love" and his first album The Sound Of Fury (1960), which featured a young Joe Brown on lead guitar, with backup vocals by The Four Jays. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Sound Of Fury was the first album released by Billy Fury in 1960. Joseph Roger Brown (born 13 May 1941) known as Joe Brown, is a British Entertainer of the 1960s and beyond

After further hits and sacking his band The Blue Flames—which included keyboardist Georgie Fame—auditions were held for a new group and held by Parnes in Liverpool. A keyboardist is a Musician who plays Keyboard instruments Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists Georgie Fame (born Clive Powell 26 June 1943, Leigh) is a British Rhythm and blues and Jazz Singer and Among those who failed were the pre-fame Beatles, who for the first time called themselves The Silver Beetles. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 They were offered the job for £20 a week on condition that they sacked bass guitar player Stuart Sutcliffe. The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe (23 June 1940 &ndash 10 April 1962 was an Artist, and the original bassist of The Beatles for two years John Lennon refused and the band left after Lennon had secured Fury's autograph. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born An autograph is a Document written entirely in the handwriting of its Author, as opposed to a typeset document or The Beatles were salvaged, however, by being sent on a tour of Scotland with Johnny Gentle and Duffy Power, who were a couple more of Parnes' acts. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Duffy Power (born Ray Howard, 9 September 1941, Fulham, West London) is an English Blues and

UK chart and film success

Fury concentrated less on Rock 'n' Roll and more on mainstream ballads, such as "Halfway to Paradise" and "Jealousy" (both 1961, each of which reached number 2 in the British Singles Chart). Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African A ballad is a Poem usually set to Music; thus it often is a story told in a Song. ' Halfway to Paradise' is a popular song originally recorded by Tony Orlando in the United States. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry This was Decca's decision to mould Fury into a teen idol after his last self-penned song, "My Christmas Prayer", had failed to chart. ‎ Teen idols refers to someone idolized by teens a teen idol is often young but in many cases no longer teenaged The years 1962 and 1963 were Billy Fury's best years chartwise. However, he was not a typical teen idol; there was too much sexuality in his performances and his renditions were never lightweight in the mould of some singers like Craig Douglas or Jimmy Justice. Craig Douglas (born Terence Perkins, 12 August 1941, Newport, Isle of Wight) is an English pop Singer Fury's fans and contemporaries in music knew he was a rocker and the real thing musically.

In 1962 Fury appeared in his first film Play It Cool, modelled on the Elvis movies. It featured Helen Shapiro, Danny Rivers, Shane Fenton (aka Alvin Stardust) and Bobby Vee who appeared with the Vernons Girls. Helen Shapiro (born 28 September 1946, Bethnal Green, London Before she was sixteen years old Shapiro had been voted Britain's 'Top Alvin Stardust (born Bernard William Jewry, 27 September 1942, Muswell Hill, North London) is an English Pop Alvin Stardust (born Bernard William Jewry, 27 September 1942, Muswell Hill, North London) is an English Pop For the R&B singer see Bobby Valentino. For another 1960s singer see Bobby Vinton. The Vernons Girls were an English musical ensemble of female Vocalists They were formed at the Football pools company in 1950s Liverpool, as The hit single from the film was "Once Upon a Dream". In the film Fury did not get the girl but stayed with his friends. There are notable performances by many well-known British actors and performers such as Richard Wattis, Lionel Blair and Dennis Price. Richard Cameron Wattis ( 25 February 1912 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England &mdash 1 February 1975 Lionel Blair (born Henry Lionel Blair Ogus on 12 December, 1931 in Montreal, Canada) is a British Actor, Dennis Price ( 23 June 1915 - 6 October 1973) was an English Actor who is mainly remembered for his suave screen roles The music highlight of the film is Fury's singing of the title track.

Billy Fury was known for excellent albums. His We Want Billy (released 1963, with The Tornados) was one of the first live albums in British rock history and featured renditions of his major hits and covers of several classic R&B songs such as "Unchain My Heart" by Ray Charles. We Want Billy! is a live album by Billy Fury, backed by The Tornados. The Tornados (in the US they were credited as The Tornadoes) were an English Instrumental group of the 1960s who acted as the in-house " Unchain My Heart " is a song written by Bobby Sharp and recorded by Ray Charles. Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American "Turn Your Lamp Down Low" (recorded in 1965 with backing band The Gamblers) was one of the earliest examples of a British act recording a track in the reggae style (with the emphasis on the second and fourth beats of each bar). Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s

In 1965 he appeared in the film I've Gotta Horse, which featured the band The Bachelors. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. I've Gotta Horse was Billy Fury 's first smash hit feature film The Bachelors is a Popular music group, originating from Dublin, Ireland. The movie was not a success but it seemed more real, and there are many interesting references to the British seaside towns of the 1960s. A few of the minor roles are notable for appearances by Michael Medwin and Jon Pertwee of Doctor Who fame. Michael Hugh Medwin OBE (born 18 July 1929) is an English Actor. John Devon Roland Pertwee (7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996 better known as Jon Pertwee, was an English Actor. Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The album from the film is available in stereo. Stereophonic sound, commonly called stereo, is the reproduction of Sound, using two or more independent audio channels through a Symmetrical

Having had more UK hits, such as "It's Only Make Believe" and "I Will" (written by Dick Glasser, not to be confused with the Paul McCartney song), both in 1964, and "In Thoughts of You" in 1965, Fury began a lengthy absence from the charts in 1967, and underwent surgery for heart problems caused by rheumatic fever which led to his abandoning touring. " It's Only Make Believe " is the name of a song written by Jack Nance and Conway Twitty. " I Will " (released b/w "I Catch Myself Crying" Liberty 55707 is a song by Dick Glasser, a ballad about one of his sister's relationships Richard Eugene "Dick" Glasser (also known as Dick Lory) ( December 8, 1933 sources say 1936- July 10, 2000) was a singer Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Rheumatic fever is an Autoimmune inflammatory Disease which may develop two to three weeks after a Group A streptococcal infection (such as Despite spending many weeks on the charts, Billy Fury never achieved a number one single, but he remained popular even after his hits stopped. Fury's song "I Will" would become a US hit for Dean Martin in 1965 and would later be a US hit for Ruby Winters in 1977. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7 1917 &ndash December 25 1995 was an American Singer, Film Actor, television personality Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Ruby Winters is an American female soul singer Winters was born in Kentucky and raised in Cincinnati Ohio.

Later years and death

In 1973, Fury came out of retirement to play rock 'n' roller "Stormy Tempest" in the film That'll Be The Day. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. That'll Be the Day is a 1973 British film starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, written by Ray Connolly and directed by The film, starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, was roughly based on the early days of The Beatles. David Essex OBE, was born David Albert Cook 23 July 1947, in Plaistow, County Borough of West Ham within Essex. Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Ringo Starr was from the same Dingle area of Liverpool as Fury and had originally played drums for Rory Storm & The Hurricanes, who the Stormy Tempest group were said to be modelled on. Dingle (known locally as The Dingle) is an Inner-city area of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Rory Storm (21 September 1939 - 28 September 1972 was an English singer and musician

In 1981 and 1982, Fury was signed to Polydor Records by A&R man Frank Neilson and recorded a comeback album, The One And Only (released posthumously) with Shakin' Stevens' producer Stuart Colman and several singles. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Artists and Repertoire ( A&R) is the division of a Record label that is responsible for talent scouting and artist development Shakin' Stevens also known as ' Shaky' (born Michael Barrett, 4 March 1948 in Ely Cardiff, Wales) is a Platinum selling Welsh Rock Stuart Colman (born 19 December 1944, Harrogate, Yorkshire) into a well-known musical family took up Piano and Bass guitar Because of his health, Fury did little touring to promote the new album. His last public appearance was at the Sunnyside, Northampton, in December 1982. This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market He recorded a live performance for the television show Unforgettable featuring six of his old hits. At the request of his mother, only four were transmitted, however, as the two others had such great emotional attachment for her.

Fury lived with Lee Middleton from 1959 to 1967, married Judith Hall in May 1969 and lived with the property heiress Lisa Rosen from 1971 until his death on 28 January 1983 at Paddington, West London. "Heir" and "Heiress" redirect here For the men and women fragrances endorsed by Paris Hilton see Heiress (fragrance. Paddington is an area of the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London.

The song "A Wondrous Place", a great favourite of Fury's (so much so that he recorded it at least four times during his career) later received much airplay on British television when it was used as the theme for a Toyota Yaris car advertisement in 1999 and 2000. (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Billy Fury was a keen amateur birdwatcher. Birdwatching or birding is the observation and study of Birds with the naked eye or through a visual enhancement device like Binoculars.

He is buried at the Paddington District Cemetery, Milespit Hill, Mill Hill, London NW7. His grave is always well maintained, with fresh flowers and messages from fans.

Discography

Singles

References in Popular Culture

• His life was dramatised for BBC Radio in 1994, in a play called "The Sound of Fury", with Anton Lesser playing the singer. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry ' Halfway to Paradise' is a popular song originally recorded by Tony Orlando in the United States. " I Will " (released b/w "I Catch Myself Crying" Liberty 55707 is a song by Dick Glasser, a ballad about one of his sister's relationships Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees is a song by Eddie Fontaine, Cirino Colacrai, Diane Lampert and John Gluck Jr " It's Only Make Believe " is the name of a song written by Jack Nance and Conway Twitty. " Hippy Hippy Shake " is a song written and recorded by Chan Romero in 1959 Glad All Over is a song written by Dave Clark and Mike Smith and recorded by The Dave Clark Five. " Let Me Go Lover! " a popular Song, was written by Jenny Lou Carson and Al Hill a pseudonym used by Fred Wise, Kathleen Twomey and BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927 Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Anton Lesser (born 14 February 1952) is a British Actor, he attended Moseley Grammar School and the University of Liverpool

References

• Billy Fury at the Internet Movie Database
• Billy Fury at Allmusic
• Billy Fury Biography by Nalle Westman & Chris Eley

Notes

1. ^ BBC biography of Fury

External links

• www.billyfury.com
• 'Sound of Fury' fan club
• www.thebillyfuryfanclub.com
• www.billyfurystory.co.uk Fury's Tornados, former backing band